Mixing valve



March 29, 19949o w. V. JORDAN MIXING VALVE Filed May 29, 1947 T1 d: l/ VA@ w/.LL/AM v. .Jonas/v,

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atented Mar. 29, 1949 This invention relates to a mixing valve, and more particularly to a valve for mixing hot and cold uids, such as water, in desired proportions to maintain the resultant mixture at a substantially constant temperature.

' A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved mixing valve adapted to mix hot and cold water in a desired proportion to provide a resultant vmixture of substantially constant tennierature,l regardless of iluctuations in the temperature of the hot and/or cold water.

.An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will hold a temperature at any `desired degree with a high proportion of accuracy, which may be utilized under any conditions wherein a ow of water of constant temperature is desired, such, for example, as in X-ray developing tanks, motion pictureprocessing tanks, film-developing tanks, shower baths, etc.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided with means whereby the desired temperature setting may be readily attained by a simple adjustment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and emcient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects will in part be pointed out hereinafter, and vin part be shown in the accompanying drawings, whereon there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view-taken substantially along the center line of one form of mixing valve embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2,-2 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows. v

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the partition dividing the mixing valve.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slidey valve y comprising an element of the instant invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2, parts thereof being omitted for the sake of clarity.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention is comprised of a body portion Ill, including an outlet Il, and hot and cold water inlets l2. The body portion is divided by a centrally-disposed circular parti tion I3, secured therein in any desired manner, as by the conventional bolts or the like, sealing gaskets being provided if desired. The partition i3 is provided with two elongated slotted apertures i6, for the admission of hot and cold water to the mixing chamber on the side of partition i3 adjacent outlet il. The admixture of hot and cold water on the opposite side of the partition is precluded by a transverselyfextending partition member l5, dividing the flow of hot and cold water through the inlets I2, until such water has passed through the ports Hand the partition I3.

Positioned on the inner side of partition I3 adjacent outlet Il is a slide valve I6, of generally rectangular configuration, provided with a centrally-disposed aperture Il, ears I8 provided with bores I9, and at each corner thereof a depression 20, the purpose of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. The slide valve lis adapted to be moved linearly along the partition I3, in such manner as to vary the relative open area of the hot and cold water ports I4 in accordance with the temperature of each in order yto provide a desired resultant mixture. e v

Such movement is eiected by means of a col# lar 2l, adapted to seat in apertures I1 of the slide valve, and having passed diametrically therethrough a rod 22, one end of which extends through a. suitable bore in the housing I0, and

a packing nut 23 into a casing 24 at one end of the valve. The opposite lend of the rod 22 is adapted to pass through a corresponding bore and packing nut 25 into a housing 26 at the opposite end of the valve assembly. Thehousing 2l is provided with a plurality of longitudinally v plate 28. The plate 30 is providedwith a nipple traction of the bellows in accordance with the temperature will serve to move the slide valve il to vary the relative quantity of hot and cold water passed through the ports Il. The housing 2l also contains a plurality ot bolts It surrounded by spacers I1, for the suitable positioning oi plates Il and 2l similar to plates 29 and III. The plate 18 is apertured to receive the extremity 40 of rod 22, which abuts an end plate 4|, against which is seated one end of a compression spring 42, the other end of which is provided with an end cap (l, engaged by the pointed extremity 44 of an adjusting screw l5 passed through a suitable threaded aperture in the plate 39. It will thus be seen that the pressure biasing rod 22 toward diaphragm 3| may be suitably regulated by means of an adjusting screw Il, and that correspondingly the degree of expansion ofl bellows 3| and its corresponding movement of valve I6 may be pre-set to any desired temperature.

Means are provided' for holding slide valve 20 closely adjacent partition Il, and take the form or studs ill secured in suitable apertures 5| in partition I3. The studs 50 are provided with threaded apertures in their tops for the engagement oi' screws 52, which serve to secure the ends of leaf springs 63 thereto. It is to be noted that there are four of studs 50,`and correspondingly four leaf springs 52, two on either side of the slide valve I6, the arrangement being such that the springs on each side are crossed, as best shown in Figure 2, and have their ends positioned substantially in alignment with the apertures 2l in the corners of valve i6. The free ends oi each spring are provided with recesses 54 adapted to accommodate one end of needlepointed pins i5, the opposite end of each pin seating in one of recesses 20. Thus, it will be seen that the slide valve I6 is effectively biased toward partition |2 by means of the resilient spring members I2, and held in position in such manner that free sliding thereof may be eiIected by movement of rod 22, due to the tapered extremities of the pins I5 and their engagement in the correspondingly tapered recesses 20 and 5I.

It may here be pointed out that rod 22 is adapted to be secured in collar 2i by means of an adjustable set screw 60, extending through a suitable lock nut 6|, in order that movement of the rod 22 may be eiIectively transmitted to the collar 2|. and hence to the slide valve I6. The set screw permits relative adjustment of the rod should such become necessary.

Positioned between the lock nut 6| and the top of ,thecollar 2| isa cross-bar 62, the ends of,

which are apertured to receive screws 63, which extend into studsv 0l, the lower extremities of which are seated in the apertures is of ears i8 of slide valve II. thus further securing the parts in related assembly:

From the foregoing it 'will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others. including many advantages oi' great practical utility and commercial importance,

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept. and as many modiilcations may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a mixing valve, a body having an outlet and hot and cold water inlets, a partition in said body between said outlet and said inlets having hot and cold water ports therein, a slide valve on the outlet side of said partition operative to proportionately vary the relative opening of said ports, said valve having a centrallypositioned circular aperture therein, a collar slidably received in said aperture, a rod extending diametrically through said collar, a spring abutting one end of said rod, and a temperatureresponsive element abutting the other end of said rod to move said rod and hence said valve linearly in accordance with temperature changes, and spring means carried by said partition resiliently holding said slide valve in operative contact with the partition adjacent said ports.

2. In a mixing valve, a body having an outlet and hot and cold water inlets, a partition in said body between said outlet and said inlets having hot and cold water ports therein, a slide valve on the outlet side of said partition operative to proportionately vary the relative opening of said ports, said valve having a centrally-positioned circular aperture therein, a collar in said aperture, a rod extending diametrically through said co1- lar, a. spring abutting one end of said rod, and a temperature-responsive element abutting the other end of said rod to move said rod and hence said valve on said partition relative to said ports in accordance with temperature changes, said valve being linearly movable on said collar toward and away from said partition, and spring means biasing said slide valve toward said partition, said spring means including studs secured to said partition, leaf springs carried by said studs, and means operatively interconnecting said leaf springs with said slide valve.

3. In a mixing valve, a body having an outlet and hot and cold water inlets, a partition in said body between said outlet and said inlets having hot and cold water ports therein, a slide valve on the outlet side of said partition operative to proportionately vary the relative opening of said ports, said valve having a centrally-positioned circular aperture therein, a collar in said aperture, a rod extending diametrically through said cllar, a spring abutting one end of said rod, a temperature-responsive element abutting the other end of said rod to move said rod and hence said valve on said partition relative to said ports in accordance with temperature changes, said valve being movable on said collar toward and away from said partition, spring means biasing said valve toward said partition, said spring means including studs secured to said partition, leaf springs carried byfsaid studs, and needle-pointed pins REFERENCES crrnp The `following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Tait June 21. 1921 Beardsley Mar. 7, 1933 Kenney Nov. 13, 1934 Number 

